My Weekly Prescreen: ‘Swinging With the Finkels’

There’s nothing like a good ol’ story about a couple who want to spice up their intimate life by swinging with another couple — especially when that couple includes a former pop princess (Mandy Moore) and a hobbit (Martin Freeman, who will star as Bilbo Baggins in the forthcoming The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey). And when I say “swinging” I am not referring to frolicking on a playground contraption. I am referring to the act of sex. With another couple.

The couple looking for that injection of sexual adrenaline is Ellie and Alvin (played by Moore and Freeman). They are a cute little couple but their married life, although happy and sweet, has become ho-hum. When they decide to put out an ad to search for a couple to swing with, they start to become more aware of their feelings for each other — and more aware of all the freaks that are out there.

Watching Mandy Moore in a role like this is partly disturbing, yet mostly refreshing. I only say this because no matter what she does, she will always be that clean cut girl next door singing “Candy”. I also say this because of one cringe-worthy scene that involves her, a cucumber, and her husband and grandparents accidentally walking in on her. I’ll let you put those puzzle pieces together.

The movie is a British comedy, so you can expect a lot of dry, clever humor, but at the same time, Freeman and Moore provide the romantically sweet center to this film that is just crass enough. It makes the lewd humor delightful (yes, it is possible). It will make you laugh. It will make you cry, but most of all Swinging with the Finkels will teach you a great lesson in relationships and finding the perfect couple to swing with.

The movie is the feature-length version of the short film Sex with the Finkels which was also written and directed by Jonathan Newman. The expanded version premiered at Cannes in 2010 and now is available on the go-to online video on demand indie movie destination Prescreen.com — and lucky for you, you can watch Swinging with the FinkelsFOR FREE. Yes, you heard me right: FREE. Just click this link to Prescreen and follow the instructions! Yay for free stuff! (P.S. Swinging with the Finkels is only available for 14 more days so watch it while you still can!)

That said, each week, I will be working with Prescreen to bring you top-notch, exclusive independent films that you can watch for free. So make sure you come back and read what my “Weekly Prescreen” will be — you won’t be disappointed. You’re welcome.

Watch the trailer and read the official synopsis below:

Having met in college, American born Ellie (Mandy Moore) and her husband Alvin (Martin Freeman) are several years into their marriage. The sparks of lust and fun have sadly faded and they’re left with the day to day normality of life.

Ellie and Alvin are desperate to ‘spice things up.’ Having explored various options and persuaded by their best friends, Ellie hits upon the brilliant idea to mix up the mundane bedroom time with another couple – to have a ‘consensual affair’ within the confines of the marriage.